Hi from Cocoa Beach

I thought I would check in with everyone to say hi.

I have enjoyed eating lots of fruits these days because they are easy to digest
sweet, juicy and fun to eat.

Right now, I am wondering what foods I need to bring to tomorrow for the TCP.

Okay, yoga family--- I must go and do what I gotta do. See ya soon.

Hugs,
V

Week 6 Begins!

Wow!  It's amazing we're coming down the home stretch! As I think about it, I'm  reminded of Master Patanjali's Yoga Sutra II.I " tapah svadhyaya Isvarapranidhanani kriyayogah": "burning zeal in practice, self study and study of scriptures, and surrender to God are the acts of yoga",  Light on Yoga, BKS Iyengar. 

This 40 Days Program and the TCP are just the beginning of a deeper self study and practice for me.  Another avenue to open myself to meditation and surrender to the Divine within.  

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to have shared the journey with all of you.

Namaste,

Mindy 

So close, yet so far

Can ya'll believe it was one week ago today that marked the first day of the fruit cleanse? Whoa. I was just taking account of that as I made lunch, recognizing what has come of my diet since.

I've noticed that I choose more variety in my food, hooray! But I still sneak in a couple of treats every now and then. It doesn't help that Halloween candy is on sale and cramping the aisles, hahaha.

All the same, it is nice to remember what we accomplished last week, not only in food but in mind, body and spirit as well. We're still on the journey too- Week 5 starts today! Feeling centered?

See you at the 'dio

A Smoothie To Die For

I just made the most delicious smoothie:

5 Medjool Dates

1 Banana

8 Ounces Almond Milk

Blend until Smooth and enjoy the heck out of it!

Have a great day!!!

Mindy 

What to eat?!?!?

Woke up today, had a water with lemon, just like the 'ole days of fruit cleanse. Then I practiced some yoga. Showered, got ready, then walked to the fridge. Upon opening it, it seemed that everything was calling out for me to eat it. Peanut butter screamed 'pick me, pick me' (that is my nemesis!) Eggs egged me on, 'scramble me up baby.' Even the pumpkin beer in the waaaaay back tinkered with my emotions, 'you know you want me.' And I did, I wanted it all at once. But at the same time, I wanted none of it.

Ended up choosing an apple and some cottage cheese. Figured I could use some protein, but nothing heavy, at least not now. And I even chose decaf tea. Pretty content. Again, seeing that it's not about the food, it's about the feel. Feel good. Better yet, feel great. Happy eating!

Home Stretch

We did it!! Last day so there is no way any of us is going to quit now!! SOOOOOO glad that I stuck it out and made it through because I honestly never thought that I could do this. Figured that I would try it and do the best I could but the thought of actually doing this full on for the whole time never crossed my mind. There were some really tough moments but I took walks, spoke with supportive friends or closed my eyes and took deep breaths when I wanted to give up and here I am on day 3. Realized that cravings are like thoughts- they have only the power that I give them. On their own they mean nothing and can pass on through if I let them. Pam's 90 min. class last night was a bit too much for me. Had to really put my ego aside and just do whatever it was that I could do. Moved VERY slowly, rested a lot and had to tell myself that it wasn't so much about the yoga as it was the breath and being able to sweat all those toxins out of my body- especially on day 2. So hoping that everyone is feeling good today, more at peace and ready to finish strong. See you tonight.
Melinda

Feeling Awesome...

I just finished the hour class tonight. At first I was dragging, but after about ten minutes, I just started flowing or at least it felt like it to me! Now I am sitting here munching on chopped avocado and tomatoes and feel very relaxed. I also really noticed a different and better smell in my sweat. I think this has been a great experience so far and am confident that tomorrow will make me feel even better. So one more day, I am looking forward to my fruit bowl for breakfast tomorow. Keep it up everyone!

cold fruit

Hey Ya'll,
I realized too, like Melanie said, it's not about the food, but the process. In my search for fruit definitions I got excited about some things classified as fruit.

But so far I've stuck what I can eat cold, including cucumber tomato and avacado. But that's it for me.

I actually made a big salad with those things, and added lemon juice and watermelon. It was so fine. And for dessert I mixed watermelon and banana. I'm full and happy, and had plenty of energy to practice.

I hope everyone is doing better. I liked Mindy's suggestion to "breathe through this process." I'm taking my eyes off Wednesday night, and putting them on right now.

Take care,
Chrissy

Halfway Mark!

Day two is often the hardest, so if you are feeling that way, you are not alone! It is not uncommon to feel a little more tired and perhaps have a headache, but don't blame it on the fruit! Remember this is a CLEANSE, and so as the body releases toxins, these symptoms may result. Stick it out, and try not to reach for that Tylenol...

Made it halfway, kiddos. Aren't you proud of yourself? Tomorrow will be a piece of cake... ahem, I mean a piece of fruit. =).

Remember to keep your cool and breathe through the tough moments. As someone else noted, just like yoga... And as far as practice goes, you (again) listen to your body. If it is saying 'Child's Pose' go there! Many people say that by day three they feel so alive they can do a double header at the studio- oh yeah! Tap into your energy even when you feel like you have none left to give. It is there...

See you at the 'do.

Fruit Fast going too slow

Hi guys,
Well the fruit fast is harder than I thought it was going to be. It's the second day and I'm starving. I just can't seem to get a feeling of fullness no matter how much fruit I eat, I don't know if this means something. I just feel an emptiness in my stomach. The only fruit that makes me feel halfway satisfied is avocados, so I guess that will be the theme for today and tomm. Hope everyone else is doing well, and thank you Melanie for reminding me that these 3 days are not about what I eat, but about what I feel. I definitely have a lot coming up.
Kintu

Sugar High

Hey everyone... so I was trying to solve the fruit mystery... what is a fruit? In a broad sense, things that we would not consider fruits are, actually "fruits" because they have developped from a plant and flower. Folks, that even means peanuts and sunflower seeds and wheat and beans and olives. BUT, I think that for the purpose of this cleanse, (and to even go back on what I previously posted) for these 3 days, we should stick it to fruit as we know it.

The cleanse is supposed to be about body awareness, and ridding ourselves of toxicity, not about obsessing what is really a fruit and how the hell can we get through this. Those thoughts are toxic themselves. Put those thoughts, worries and hindrances in the freezer for the next couple of days, and just allow your body to absorb this cleanse.

I was hopping on board with the newly found fruits, until I realized this for myself. It's not about the food, it is about the process. It is about what we feel, what we experience, not what enters our mouth. This is supposed to be mindful and thought-less. Just allow it to unfold. Trust me.

Last time I did the cleanse I only used traditional fruit plus avo's and tomatoes, that's what I've got in my fridge right now. That is what I will eat these 3 days, but that's not even what matters. I feel the cleanse happening already as I let go of the control of my food...

Fruit fast

I am so glad that I researched and found cucumbers and eggplants were considered fruits! I just added some chopped cucumber to my avocado/tomato salad. Probably will grill some eggplant for dinner. Hope everyone is doing okay so far!

So Difficult

Okay, I have only been awake for 3.5 hours and I'm already really stressed about this whole fruit fast. I actually had to take a Valium last night in order to fall asleep because I had so much anxiety over what today would bring. I have all these beautiful, colorful fruits sitting here on my desk and I keep telling myself how lucky I am to live in a place where I can eat such wholesome foods but it isn't helping. I'm someone who is really big on paying attention to my body and eating what it needs and craves (and I'm not talking about chips and candy). I try to eat carbs or lean proteins whenI need them, or fruit when my energy level is low etc. This goes against everything I believe in. I'm eating this fruit when what my body wants is some whole grain toast and natural peanut butter. My stomach feels really acidic having all this fruit in it with nothing to absorb it with. I'm trying to decide if I need to just do this no matter what or try and modify it as best I can in hopes of getting some benefit from it. I don't know what to do. Hoping that all of you are having a much easier time than I am. For those of you who have done this before, what did you do to make your stomach not feel upset all the time? And are cucumbers and squash and all that stuff Chrissy said really okay to have?
Melinda

Botanically speaking...

The Wandering Yogini gave some great advice. She speaks from experience.

I did a little research so I could be sure what qualifies as fruit, besides bananas, apples, mangos and figs.

Most of us know tomatoes are in the fruit family, since they develop directly from a flower-- the definition of fruit-- but other fruits classified as vegetables include squash, cucumbers, green beans, corn kernels, eggplants, and peppers.

And don't forget Miss Melanie's avacados! Yum.

Make some cold soup with cucumber and avacado in your food processor (or blender) and add fresh herbs. Are herbs allowed?

Also, slow cook a big pot full of eggplant, squash, and peppers. Add a little curry and basil, you'll think you just ate a filet of beef.

I also like tomatoes and cucumbers in balsamic vinegar. Is vinegar allowed? I don't know.

The Wandering Yogini can surely fill us in.

---
In other news, my sister had her baby today, Sunday. So that was not my excuse for missing last Wednesday night.

Last week I busted my butt to get to the meeting with no avail. We only have one car, since one of our kids totaled our other car. On top of that we have new school/extracurricular schedules and with one car it was a no go.

Ask my husband, I cried.

Anyway, Mark gave me What For about missing last Wednesday. AND I will most definitely not be present (no pun intended) at the next meeting. Sorry sorry. But someone please tell Mark I communicated to the group I would be absent. And that I'm doing the fast in Atlanta. And also practicing.

And let me say that Mark will say things like: "People may say they are with the group, doing things with the group at home, but it's just not the same."

Yep. It ain't the same. So i do not advise it.

Love all ya'll!
Chrissy

A little pre-planning goes a long way!

A suggestion from having done this before... don't wait until Sunday night or Monday morning to buy your fruit! It can be a fun and exciting outing to the grocery if done ahead of time. Last minute could be quite frustrating!

I had a problem with the fruit cleanse because of all the acidity in fruit. I ended up getting sores all inside my mouth, BUT avocados saved me! As you all know, avacados can only be eaten at ripeness, so stock up now! =)

And another thing, I was NEVER hungry on this cleanse. So if that is your fear, you can drop it. You can eat as much fruit as you want, so you will not go hungry. Vary the fruit and it will be a fiesta! Listen to your body and what it needs. Remember it is only 3 days.

WE CAN DO THIS!

Like looking in a mirror...

Week 3 is well underway, and the meeting last night was a welcome eye-opener for me.

One of my "tapes" has been for a while now that 'I am alone and no one understands me.' Yet, each person that shared yester-eve spoke from my heart. Not one person said something I cannot relate to, or something I have not felt. The exact same emotions and places that have kept me feeling alone are those that each one of us feel in some way, shape or form. Just goes to show that no matter how different we may be on the outside, on the inside we are all of the same spirit.

Thank you all for sharing, and opening my eyes once again to the 'all one-ness' of this community. Have an equanimous week.

Week 3

I hope everyone has been doing well. My meditation has gotten more powerful since I've started concentrating on "being still and knowing."

I'm sure most of you know that, like many of Baron's foundations, it comes directly from the Bible: "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).

As I keep my thumbs together my spirit and breathing enter into the stillness offered by the knowledge He is God.

As far as diet, it's easy for me to eat only fruits and veggies, but I sometimes eat meat without feeling like I "cheated" in any way at all. I haven't looked at the cookbook Mindy suggested but I'm pretty sure I'm gonna like it.

I've been coming to the studio when I can, but the Baron cds rocks in my living room when I can't make the trip to Southside. It aint the same has having Ms. Pam kick my butt, but when I turn off the airconditioner and open the front door it's good. The 20 minute sessions have kept me on track, on days when I felt I had NO time for anything. It's like taking time out to give yourself a 20 minute hug.

Unfortuately I will not be at the meeting on Wednesday night. The following Wednesday (week 4) looks bleak too. My sister, in Atlanta, is having a baby and plans to have her membranes stripped tomorrow. I'll be helping her for a week, but I plan to do the fruit fast while I'm with her. So although absent in the flesh, I'll be with you in spirit. Still committed to myself, the program and ALL YA'LL!
Adios!

Being tested.

Still missing you all. I finally came back to town this week, and I was so excited to finally get back in class. But oh no- the world is testing me I think!

Yesterday I forgot I had a meeting planned just in time to finish before class, but not enough time to make it there and set up my mat. Then today, my afternoon appointments ran late, and what do you know, I'm in the same boat- writing a blog- when I should be saying "Ahhhh" in some beautifully painful pose Mark has us in. I am so jealous of you all. And I feel guilty because I said I would be here today.

AM I being tested? Mark said we need to "show up for ourselves first." Is that what has been happening all along? Am I not putting my body first? I want to. It just doesn't seem so easy some days. Maybe that is a part of vitality. Not feeling run over, and run down like my schedule is running me. But instead making my body so fresh and healthy and strong it controls my life. Maybe I can only be in control after I put myself first?

So this is my rant for today. Thanks for listening. Still missing you all and my new found yoga. Tomorrow- my body first- YOGA FIRST.

-Shalini

Meeting tonight!

Hey everyone!

Just wanted to remind you that our meeting is tonight following the 6:30 class. Remeber to bring your journal with you with week one's excavation questions answered!

Have a great Wednesday...

Cookbook

Hi Everyone!

Just wanted to share an awesome cookbook with you.  "Vegan Fusion World Cuisine", by Mark Reinfeld and Bo Rinaldi.  All of the recipes can be modified to suit Vegetarian or Meat-eating diets as well.  

See you soon!  Mindy

Check Your Vitals...

It's VITALITY WEEK!

Week 2 has arrived (our weeks run Monday to Sunday, for those who were wondering) and with it comes a burst of energy, more attention to food and letting go of the 'tapes.' I mean, tapes WERE totally last century.

I have to admit, there have been a couple of times during meals when I try to imagine the journey my meal took on its way to my plate, and I cannot, for the life of me think of how a certain food grew! Any one else experience that?

I've heard some awesome feedback on meditation. One woman said to me, "I didn't get it before, but now I get it!" It's like that, isn't it? You can't study it, learn it, perfect it, you just practice it and in time it makes sense! Generally, I have heard that there is a real difference to the day when it is begun with meditation. I know that personally, meditation starts me on the right foot.

I will be the first to admit, I've been hanging on to a couple annoying 'tapes' for quite some time. This week is one of my favorite weeks of meditation, because I can actually see what I keep playing out, and I can mentally take the time to let them go. I actually imagine cassette tapes, and the ribbon coming out as part of my meditation.

Well, that's it from the peanut gallery for now. (In case you were wondering, the peanut is actually a pea rather than a nut, and it grows on a plant.)

See ya'll at the studio...

Miss you all and yoga!

Just wanted to say hi and let you all know I am really missing class. After only being there two days this week I am craving some intense yoga! I am visiting my brother in Ft. Lauderdale, but I'll be back in town soon and I can't wait to get back to the studio. I really need the regular routine of coming in because I am so new to keeping my practice that it's still a challenge for me. Seems like everyone else is really having a much easier time with the regular practices and meditations. I think once my schedule is back to normal I should be able to get in the groove. I have to admit, it has been a bit a of a mental struggle trying to push myself to do it on my own.

Miss you though : )
See you next week!
Shalini

Happy Friday!

Well let me just say that reading through the posts I can really see the beauty in this program. It is so nice and comforting to know that there are other people experiencing the SAME things as I am. I am not as alone in my feelings as I thought. The food hasn't been too challenging, well I lie. I work in a restaurant (Mimis Cafe in the Town Center) and we have these muffins, I swear they are laced with something, maybe what Chrissy puts in the kool-aid (jk Chrissy) but anyway, I find myself snacking on them throughout my shift when I really don't even want them, they just look really good and I know they taste good. But they are not what I want, so I really just need to stop (easier said than done though) But other then that this week has been a lot of fun. It's been nice to see all the familiar faces around the studio on a more frequent basis, keep it up yall and see you soon!

in peace in love
Siddie

Hi Everyone!!!

I'm finding my regular diet is well balanced overall.  Today however I hit one of those little bumps in the road and found myself ravenous with a handful of Terra Blues. Yowsa!  Meditation is good, I've been practicing for a while so it's a regular part of my morning and night.  I wish I could be at the studio daily, but I'm there in spirit!  Hugs to y'all!

Morning Miracle.

Hey fellow yogis (yogis is right, right? remember I'm new at this stuff)

I had my first meditation breakthrough this morning. It was awesome. Amazing. Incredible. I vibrated before I knew it! (I set my phone alarm on vibrate. Nice break from a loud alarm...) But really, I have never, and I mean never, been able to meditate! I had the usual trouble in concentration ofcourse. Kept having to come back to Om Namo Shiva, and think of my thumbs, etc. But it was such a great achievement. And relief. And pleasure. I can't wait for tonight.

The food thing is going alright. I totally agree that taking time to shop and buy and sit down with whole foods is what keeps me from them most. I find I eat hot foods most, but when I eat cooling foods I feel cleaner and better somehow. Infact I'm craving cooling foods. I crave watermelon all day. I can't wait for the 3 days of fruit. I'll be in heaven.

See you soon : )

- Shalini

hey all! well i don't know about you but even just the act of writing down what i eat has really made a huge difference. you know sometimes i eat snacks mindlessly throughout the day when i don't really need it. so writing down what i eat sorta makes me more aware of just how often i am mindlessly scarfing down crackers or peanut m&ms and junk like that. not that my eating pattern is looking that great this week b/c of it but i am snacking on junk snacks way less because then i would to write it down:) i don't seem to leaning towards one side more than the other but i do need to watch out for those foods that rob me. . . they have shown up on my chart a couple times. anyways i hope everyone is have a super day and i will see ya at class!

Food Issues

My turn to say hello. I missed seeing everyone last night and wished I had been able to come down to take class. I teach spinning classes on Tuesday's and Thursday's so those nights never work for me. I took my friend's mind/body class to get some yoga in and it just wasn't the same. I tried to approach it in a different way, being mindful of my movements etc. but my head was spinning and I just had too much time to think about other things to stay focused. Not so different from how it feels to meditate right now but I'm working on that too.

In writing down what I am eating every day I've noticed that I'm definitely hooked on the convenience foods right now- lots of Lean Cuisine's for lunch, Odwalla Bars, protein shakes..... I rationalize things saying that I don't do fast food, soda, chips, candy and all that other stuff but I'm still not eating "real" food. I think the problem is that in order to eat whole, unprocessed foods you have to have time to shop and prepare them on a regular basis. Every night that I go to yoga I am gone about 3 1/2 hours because of my travel time so there is very little time left over at the end of the day. So where to go from here........ What has to give in order to make things better when there isn't a whole lot of wiggle room left to play with? Lots to think about. Sending you all good thoughts from Georgia.

Melinda

Meetings start next Wed!

Hey all,

Just wanted to let you know that the Wednesday night meetings will start next Wednesday, September 3rd!

See you around the studio,
Mel

howdy, fellow cult members

I'm teasing, of course. I woke up today thinking I won something on ebay last week and forgot to pay. So I zoomed out of bed to my COMPUTER and found I'd been outbid. Then I checked my email, and got a sinking feeling that I was starting out all wrong.

Bad Chrissy.

So I logged off, got back in bed, and shut my eyes for 10 minutes. Then I sat up in bed and began my meditation. Pretending the ebay thing never happened. I'm kind of slack on myself that way-- I pretty much always give myself a second chance.

I decided to check out the food thing, like whether I'm hot or cold. Since I've been craving the cumcumber-dill combo for the last week I decided to stick with cold for now. I made some very kick-butt avacado cucumber dill soup and I'm happy to say it was de-lish.

Happy Day : )

No worries on being number two Effie. It was your unintended gift to me today : )

It brought me much relief as I have been online all morning, doing just what Mark said we should not do these 40 days- but it's soo my routine, online Outlook emails, checking notes in my day planner, a zillion phonecalls to the office and clients.

Am I already sucking the zen out of the blogs? Lol.

But I made a commitment to making myself good and you good. So from tomorrow... a different morning routine!

I'd love any suggestions. I will see you all tonight in class. Thanks so much for being a part of my journey.

Shalini -

Ps. I can't wait to share my story some night about what my Blogger name means and how it came about.

hi everyone! wowzers i am number two to make a post. i am so excited to be a part of this program and to develope new friendships with all of you. i really did not realize how much i needed this in my life until we got together monday. this is going to be an amazing experience!

Presents for Presence!

Hey all! Hope you found it easy to connect to this blog and welcome.

As Mark mentioned last night, this blog is open to the 40 Day Participants as a means of support and communication. You know like, "Let's all do a double-header tonight, see you there!" or "Help! I can't sit still during meditation!" Remember- we all made that commitment for growth within ourselves, this program, as well as with each other!

So week one- PRESENCE. Anyone else see the presence meditation as a gift? I know for me, I will be sitting there, silently, no distractions (besides my mind!) and I will have that one shining moment when I realize that I was able to follow one complete breath from beginning to end. I get so excited... a moment of presence! And then, just as soon as I have it, there I am again, back in the thoughts. But it was there, even if only for a moment. A joyful, peaceful present of presence.

And eating- who knew there could be so much presence in it? To actually sit with a meal- no emails, no TV, no music, no newspaper... just food. What a concept!

And of course, yoga. To practice presence in poses is profound. (As is alliteration.) Looking forward to seeing ya'll at the studio!

In peace, in presence,
Mel